Chapter 29
DYLAN
B eing back home was a mindfuck.
Everything was the same and yet it all felt so different.
Partly because I could experience it now without the haze of mind-numbing amounts of alcohol.
And with the clarity that only time can bring, I was finally looking forward to seeing the rest of my family, my anxiety trickling away like a slow-moving stream.
Unfortunately, Max and I didn’t get a chance to use that shower, since Darby’s kids descended on the cottage.
After more tears and hugs, we were seated at the patio table, catching up.
My niece Blair and my nephew Josh had grown so much in the past two years, both taking after the Aylmer side of the family with green eyes, tall frames, and stubborn chins.
My brother-in-law Dean sauntered in last. Whipping off his dusty cowboy hat, he gave me a hug that nearly crushed what was left of my ribs.
“Don’t disappear again, ya hear?” Dean murmured in my ear. “Everyone misses you like crazy.”
I was so choked up that I could only pull back and nod in response.
Then we sat down to a feast for all the senses. I’d forgotten how much I loved family dinners and especially my sister’s cowboy caviar.
“Cowboy caviar?” Max asked as my nephew Josh set the platters of food on the table. I almost laughed out loud at his confused expression.
“It’s like a salad, with beans and corn. But we eat it as a dip with tortilla chips,” Josh explained. “Trust me, it’s good.”
Max politely took a scoop of everything that was passed around and I followed suit, piling my plate high with spicy pulled pork, jalapeno cornbread, creamy macaroni salad, and of course, more caviar.
Another table was set up for desserts, including pecan pies, a chocolate sheet cake, and my favorite, banana pudding.
“Josh, this is some of the best pulled pork I’ve ever eaten. So tender and juicy. You have to share your recipe,” Max gushed as he scooped up another mouthful of the spicy meat.
Josh, like a typical teenager, blushed and shook his head, his dark bangs hanging in his eyes.
“Thanks. I could have made it spicier, but it turned out pretty good. The secret is to smoke it low and slow, at least six to eight hours.”
“You definitely have talent. Darb says you’re going to culinary school in the fall. Are you excited?” I asked Josh.
“Yeah. Moving to Dallas will be a big change, but the school is highly ranked. Some of the chefs that teach there also own the top restaurants in the state.”
“And what about you, Blair?” I looked at my niece who was the spitting image of her mother.
“I’m going to be the fourth generation Druitt to run the family ranch,” she proudly declared, tossing her long ponytail over her shoulder.
“Good for you.”
“She can supply my future restaurants with top quality meat. But only if I get a family discount,” Josh joked.
“As long as I get to eat at your restaurant for free, you got yourself a deal,” she replied.
Everyone chuckled and dug back into their food.
I was well into my second serving when I heard the rumble of cars and loud, familiar voices.
Then the rest of my family came barreling around the corner of the house like a fourth of July parade gone wild.
Lea, Mad, Jay, their husbands and kids, and Mama.
I stood up and was crushed in a group hug as all four of my sisters and my mom huddled around me, everyone crying and laughing and yelling at the same time.
“It’s about damn time!”
“We’re finally all together! Someone take a picture!”
“Stop hogging him!”
“All right, ladies, all right. One at a time,” I managed to shout above the chaos.
I’d been living an isolated life for so long that the sudden surge of so many people in my personal space, even family, made me tense up.
Then I felt Max’s reassuring hand on my arm.
A silence fell over the group as he stepped up beside me and pulled me in tight to his side.
Telling me— telling them—that he was protecting and supporting me.
“Everyone, this is my boyfriend, Max Lowell,” I proudly declared.
It was getting easier every time I said it, but I still looked around at everyone’s expressions to see if there was any hostility about to erupt. No one else in my family was queer, and I didn’t know how they were going to react. Everyone was quiet so I kept on going.
“Max, these are my sisters Lea, Mad, and Jay. And of course, my mama, Mackenzie.”
Mama moved to stand in front of me, her gray hair in its usual messy bun and her hands on her hips. Her blue eyes looked at me with concern and then glanced at Max. “Nice to meet you, Max. If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you some questions.”
“Now, Mama…” I started, but my mother’s blue glare cut my sentence off. I forgot how she could get anyone—adults included—to button it with just one look. Another hush fell over my family as we waited for her to speak.
“Do you dance?” she asked Max, and he looked at her for a moment and then burst out laughing. Mama had no reaction, except to raise one eyebrow. Max’s laughter turned into a nervous cough.
“Sorry, I was surprised by your question, Mrs. Aylmer. I’m not great by any means. My daughter is the one with the dance moves.”
“Please call me Mackenzie. And get ready. After dessert, the kids are heading to the movies and the adults are going line dancing.”
“I don’t know…” Max murmured and adjusted his glasses.
“You’re in Texas now, hon, so unbutton that shirt and relax. We’ll have you up and shaking the city out of you in no time. Yes sir, we’re gonna have fun.” Mama winked at him and then reached up and gave him a hug. Max hugged her back, looking slightly less than terrified.
“Welcome to the family,” she whispered.
Once we chatted with each of my sisters and their families, we finished the desserts and helped clean up. Then Max and I headed back to the cottage to change.
In my best jeans, a white short-sleeve button down, my brown cowboy boots and hat, I waited patiently for Max. When he came out of the bedroom, he gave me a thorough once over and my cock jerked. Down boy, you’re about to go out in public.
“Fuck, Dylan, you’ve activated my cowboy kink and now I can’t do anything about it,” Max growled as he adjusted himself.
He wasn’t the only one who was fighting to stay cool. In his black jeans and polo, my hot professor looked like he was ready for date night in the Big Apple instead of the local Texas dance hall.
“You’re looking pretty sexy yourself, Doc,” I teased as I approached him. I slid my hands around his waist and brought him in tightly, swaying to imaginary music and rocking my hips.
Unfortunately, our private moment was interrupted by a loud knock on the door.
“Dylan, Max, we’re ready to leave! Get your butts out here!” Darby yelled.
“Cockblocked,” I sighed and gave Max a quick kiss. “You, me, and that outdoor shower when we get back.”
“It’s a date.”
Another persistent knock sounded on the door, so I walked over, hand in hand with Max, and opened it.
“Chill out, Darb. We’re ready.”
Darby was dressed in dark blue jeans and a tank top, her black cowboy hat on. “You guys are riding in the truck with me and Dean.”
“Chaperones? What am I, sixteen again?” I snorted.
“One of our trucks is in the shop, so we have to carpool. Smart ass,” Darby replied and turned to Max. “Is he like that with you?”
“Yeah, but I give it right back to him,” Max winked at me. “Come on, cowboy. Teach me to dance.”
We all piled into trucks and SUVs, and soon the Aylmer motorcade was making its way into town.
“Didn’t we pass Avery’s already?” I asked. Avery’s was the closest dance hall and the oldest in the area.
“They shut down a year ago. The owner retired and moved to Mexico,” Darby replied. “We’re driving to a new place.”
Fifteen minutes later, we pulled into a parking lot beside an industrial building in the heart of downtown.
My attention caught on the lineup of people snaked around the block and the bright neon ‘Ride Hard’ sign above the building.
Even though it was evening, I threw on my sunglasses.
We hopped out of the truck and followed Darby across the street.
There were two bouncers at the entrance who recognized my sister and waved her over. Much to the disappointment of everyone else in line, we were ushered inside.
“How’d you get us in so quick, Darb?” I asked.
“I’m friends with the owner and his husband. In addition to this club, they own two local restaurants and source their beef from us. They’re a great couple, and they do a lot for the LGBTQ community.”
“Really?”
Darby turned to me as we headed inside, the blast of electric guitars and honey-warmed voices greeting us.
“Yes, really. You’re not the only queer person we know, Dylan. Now, come on. We have a VIP table waitin’ on us and a dance floor to wreck.”
The hall was packed, and with the low lights, I finally took off my sunglasses so I could see clearly.
The place looked like a renovated barn with whitewashed walls, round wooden tables that lined the perimeter, a huge bar in the back, and a wall-to-wall stage with a band.
The dance floor was already filled with couples and singles moving swiftly to the music.
I took Max’s hand and followed Darby to the front of the room, where a table for twelve was marked reserved . On the dance floor, people were pairing up for the next number. Watching them two step and twirl their partner around brought back good memories.
“Care to dance?” I whispered in Max’s ear.
“Watch your feet,” Max chuckled as I led him out to the dance floor.
A figure in head-to-toe silver—suit, boots, and hat included—stepped out onto the stage and announced the next song, getting the crowd worked up.
“Welcome to Ride Hard, folks! I’m Landry, and I co-own this joint with my husband, Jonah.
We’re so happy that you’re here tonight. Are y’all ready to have some fun?!”
The crowd let out loud hollers and whistles and Landry laughed.
“You can do better than that! Come on, I asked if y’all are ready to have fun?!”
The crowd let out a deafening roar.
“Well, all right then. Raise your hand if you’re new to line dancing. Come on, don’t be shy.”
Several people in the crowd, including Max, raised their hand.
“We got some dance virgins in the crowd tonight folks,” Landry joked.
“But don’t worry, we’ve got a couple here at the front to show you the steps.
Once you hear the music, you’ll be hooked.
Now let’s give a warm welcome to our band tonight.
All the way from the lovely city of Waco, this is Firefly! ”
Claps and cheers erupted as the band members took a bow and cranked it up with a high-energy number, the guitarist and fiddler battling it out for top spot. I took Max in my arms without hesitation. There were couples of every variety, so I felt safe and welcome in this space.
“Just follow my lead,” I whispered in his ear and then gave it a quick kiss.
Max surprised me—and himself—by catching on to the steps quickly and soon we were laughing and sweating along with the rest of the crowd.
We danced for a half hour, until we were out of breath and in need of a rest. Ambling back to our table, we sat and chatted with my sisters.
After a few glasses of sweet tea, someone tapped my shoulder, and I turned around to find two twenty-something men I didn’t recognize.
“Sorry to interrupt your evening, Mr. Aylmer,” the taller, dark-eyed stranger murmured as he tipped his hat. “But my boyfriend and I wanted to get your autograph. If you’d be so kind.”
“Of course. Please call me Dylan. And you are?”
“Oh, sorry. I’m so nervous. I’m August and this is Matthew.”
I shook both their hands and August passed me a journal and a pen. “We saw your story on the news. Your coming out. It’s inspiring to folks here.”
I nodded, surprised by his unexpected praise. “It’s been a long time coming. You from El Paso?”
“Yeah,” August replied with a blush. “I mean, I am, but Matthew’s from Florida. He moved here to help me run the family business. Maybe you’ve heard of it, Neilson’s Outfitters?”
“Yeah, of course! In fact,” I turned to Max. “This is my boyfriend Max. Max, meet August and Matthew. They run Neilson’s which is the oldest—and best—source of cowboy boots in the city.”
“Nice to meet you,” Max replied and shook their hands.
I pointed at Max. “We need to get him outfitted while he’s in town. We’ll be sure to drop by.”
“Happy to help you.”
“Oh, and I also need to get a pair of boots and a hat for my daughter,” Max replied.
“Not a problem. We’ve got something for everyone.” August pulled a card out of the pocket on his shirt and passed it to me. “We’re open tomorrow. Feel free to stop by. If you need more privacy, drop by at 5 p.m. and we’ll keep the store open an extra hour for you guys.”
“You don’t need to do that, but thank you,” I replied. Then I remembered the journal in my hand. I signed it, passing it back. August thanked me and placed it in his pocket.
“Well, we’ll let you get back to your friends. A pleasure to meet you both, and we’ll see y’all tomorrow.” They tipped their hats at us and wandered back through the crowd, hand in hand.
“Are you okay?” Max asked me, leaning in close.
The band started playing a new song, but the tempo was slower, and the lights in the venue dimmed. The sultry beat of a love song was calling.
“Never better. Dance with me again?”
“You don’t need to ask. Being in your arms is the only place I want to be.”